SECTION SEVEN 



C. Phenol 2% aqueous. 



Add the sodium hydroxide solution a little at a 

 time to the thionin solution until all the dye has been 

 precipitated; then collect the precipitate and wash 

 with a large volume of water until the runnings show 

 neutral reaction. Prepare a saturated solution of the 

 precipitated dye in the 2% phenol. 



Technique: 



1. Air-dried smears are fixed in absolute alcohol for five min- 

 utes. 



2. Pour off any excess alcohol and allow the film to dry in the 

 atmosphere. ' 



3. Stain in the thionin solution (prepared as above) for one half 

 to one minute. 



4. Pour off excess ; drain and wash rapidly in absolute alcohol. 



5. Clear in xylol and mount in Cedronol. 



Results: 



Rickettsia are stained deep violet. Cytoplasm is stained a light 

 violet, while red cells are bluish green. 



VAGINAL SMEAR STAIN, M.F.4 



For the rapid staining of vaginal smears, sharply contrasting 

 cornified from non-cornified cells 



Technique: 



1. Fix smears, while still wet, in equal parts of ether and abso- 

 lute alcohol for one minute. 



2. Rinse with two changes of 80% alcohol, followed by two 

 changes of 70% alcohol. 



3. Rinse by dipping the slide seven times in rapid succession in 

 a jar of distilled water. 



4. Immerse in the staining solution for two minutes. 



401 



